Rudo Saungweme

Despite rebuttals by the US embassy in Harare that it does not meddle in Zimbabwean politics, the situation on the ground shows a strong relationship between same and anti-government civil society organisation, the Harare Post can report.

Sources revealed to this publication that the US embassy has been sponsoring Amalgamated Rural Teacher`s Union of Zimbabwe (ARTUZ) to do demonstrations.

Last week, the source said Douglas Coltart, the ARTUZ representative invited nine ARTUZ Provincial representatives to Harare to discuss about their pending demonstrations. According to the source, the US embassy offered the ARTUZ members accommodation in their embassy.

ARTUZ the held witha meeting  the US Ambassador to Harare, Brian Nichols where he asked the ARTUZ members to say their grievances so that he can take them to His Excellency President Emmerson Mnangagwa.

Nichols encouraged ARTUZ to stage more demonstrations indicating that it was within their democratic rights. He added that they are always welcomed at the US Embassy whenever they have any need. In the meeting with Ambassador Nichols, ARTUZ members alleged that the State was abducting.

This was in apparent reference to the alleged abduction of Obert Masaraure who is the ARTUZ leader. It was, however, found out that Masaraure faked the abduction to justify his extended absence from work without official leave since January this year. Public Service Commission (PSC) has since ceased his salary. 

ARTUZm also told Ambassador Nichols that their Secretary General, Robson Chere was also abducted. It was , however, discovered that he skipped border to evade arrest. He was scheduled to leave for Young African Leaders Initiative (YALI) 2019 this month. Chere was sentenced to a 30-day jail term by Goromonzi magistrate Feresi Chakanyuka, over a violence incident which took place during the January 16 protests.